Polarity-reversing affirmative particles are a phenomenon that has largely been overlooked
in previous research. A polarity-reversing affirmative particle is used to express disagreement
with the polarity of a preceding negative statement. It is a typical answer strategy in
Swedish, German, Dutch as well as in French. In fact, findings from previous cross-linguistic
studies suggest, though without further detail, that polarity-reversing affirmative particles are
a phenomenon predominantly found in European and more specifically in Germanic languages
(Da Milano 2004; Roelofsen & Farkas 2015; Moser 2018). The aim of this study is to examine the
hypotheses presented in Moser (2018). The goals are to investigate the distribution of polarity-reversing affirmative particles in Europe on the one hand, and to examine the phenomenon
in Swedish, German, Dutch and French from a diachronic perspective on the other hand. On
the basis of these endeavors, this study is embedded in the framework of areal typology. This
study brings forth highly interesting findings in view of the discussion of Standard Average
European and the Charlemagne Sprachbund.